Clearly Snape's emotions were not locked down as tight as he thought if Riddle thought Hermione was a centuaras. Can centars and humans reproduce?

Why have I never read about female centuars in HP fan fic before? They are wonderful OCs. Severus is a lucky man!

Would it be callous of me to admit I didnt shed even one tear over Sirius' death? it was really interesting to read this chapter from Snape's POV.

She just asked Severus Snape how he could be so stupid and is still alive. I'm speechless. 
On the other side.  I didn't think about how afraid Hermione would be. I, like Severus, expected her to be hurt or angry because she wanted to spend the holidays with him but hadn't thought about her fearing for his life. 

Has she seen him starving himself to death? He must look like shite warmed over. Has she noticed or is she so obsessed with her own pain that she hasn't taken a good look at the man she is so worried about?  

And, the door isn't locked and she is hugging him! They are having an intimate discussion where others could hear them. Why hasn't one of them closed and warded the door? They can't be that emotionally excited that they are totally senseless to their situation! 

The pain! You express it so perfectly. I hurt for him.
"You truly love each other? Then you might have been truly happy! No couple in a century has that chance, no matter what the story books say. And so I think no man in a century will suffer as greatly as you"... 
..."do you hear that?  It is the sound of ultimate suffering...The Man in Black makes it now." 
Poor dear Severus Snape!

I know Hermione had no way of knowing really truly how excruciating, wearying hard his life really is, but she is really torturing the good man. If she knew, I think she would wait and not try him so painfully. But she is only a girl and hasn't really seen enough horrors of real life to realize what she is putting him through.  I know she has seen more horrors than the average person her age, but compared to his reality she is the newborn foal of a unicorn hiden in the deep in the dark forest. 

By the gods, Severus' life is too much for one man to bear!  If he yields to temptation with Hermione, he can't be blamed. It's a wonder he is still sane. ...And I think my life is hard. Smothering Smothering the piglet must have been cathartic. Maybe the twins had done him a favor.

He's right. She is wrong but she is young and while she believes she understands the consequences she can't possibly. His life experience should make him stop right now, but she's hit the soft underbelly of the "Greasy Git".  I feel very conflicted. The weak side of me wants them to listen to Hermione. The adult side of me says, "listen to Severus!"  

I am very impressed with the part about what could have happened if Harry had been sorted into Slytherin "as he should have been", he would have been better protected and have more allies. As it is, he is Dumbledore's pawn with no one to protect him from the machinations of the General of The Order of the Phoenix.  I had never really considered the advantages for Harry if he had been sorted into Slytherin.  He wouldn't have Hermione or Ron but he would have had Severus, Lucius, and perhaps, Draco. How much different the story may have turned out if Draco had had Harry as his friend. I hope that thought stirs your muse.

I know it's a bad idea but I wouldn't be able to resist if I were Hermione. I can't say how I would be able to resist if I were Severus because I am not a man. If I were a female in his place, in real life, I would hope I would resist. But, by all happy and serendipitous happenstance this isn't real life!!! Therefore, I urge our hero and heroine to proceed with all possible passion immediately.  I confess I skipped ahead and see this story isn't finished, but I am going to trust you not to make me cry at the end when you do get around to finishing this tale.  I also humbly ask, dearest gentle and generous author, that you please seriously consider working on this story some more. I suppose the most I can offer in fair exchange is that I promise to read and give reviews. Thoughtful reviews. Not just "great chapter" type of reviews. I know you have a real life and so do I, but sometimes we need to escape to another world where magic fixes everything!  I am overwhelmed and currently spending a Sunday afternoon in a state of denial and repression with earplugs so that I can't hear my spawn yelling at the grandchildren who are being childish, bored and naughty. I should be doing my taxes right now. The only acceptable excuse would be if I were engaging board children in some memorable and educational activity. But, I feel nauseous and am currently not up to my grandma job nor my duty to my country. In spite of the fact that I have obviously just exposed myself as a procrastinating looser, please compose more chapters and continue this story to the end. If there is anything I can do please tell me how I can possibly rouse your muse in this regard.

I love your writing style, dearest Fawkes! His near-Calvinist austerity indeed! How artistically you depict our beloved Potions Master.  His chivalry again surprises him before he can stop it's impulses. It's so sweet yet so dangerous that even though I usually am cheering this couple on, your story has been more effective than any other I think I have read at making me feel like this really isn't a good idea no matter how much we all want it to happen.  In fact, now I'm afraid for them in a way I normally am not. Sometimes when this happens and I think, "O No! This can't possibly end well!" I have to look at the last chapter so that I can stop if I find out this has an ending that will leave me sad. I don't read these works for a look at reality. I read them to escape reality.  I'm sorry. I have to go check the ending. I hope you aren't offended.  

Wow!  I have to go to the next chapter now because I have to know what happens next.  

Finally, Hermione's POV.  Quite interesting too. I had hoped and expected she would have eventually been attracted to our sexy potions master.  How will she hide the knowledge of his ardor at their next meeting? Will he be humiliated or encouraged that she wasn't the least squicked or repulsed. Will he be tempted or ashamed or angry at himself or all of the above? Has he been thinking about that night or has he forgotten?  

Another humorously clever chapter! And you DID use it against Lucius! Ha! He was more upset than I had expected him to be. 

BTW- I have never heard anyone feeling more disgusting than your first sentence.  Have you considered entering the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction contest? 

This was an exquisitely clever chapter. Very humorous. Severus' stream of consciousness is quite enjoyably droll.  I do hope he keeps sober up potion in his robe pocket in case "you-know-who" sends him a summons. 

If you had only kissed her as part of your punishment, hey Oldman? The only chance you'll get? I somehow doubt it. 
I must say that saccade is an awesome word. I've never seen it used in a story. Brilliant!

That was fabulous!  What a hag indeed!  I can't imagine Umbridge actually thinking anyone could be seduced by her.  It gives me the willies to imagine who in the Ministry gave her such an idea. Fudge! Oh gross!  Will you actually use this against Lucius in the story so we get to see what the Hag tries to pull and know that Severus' little revenge is complete? I'm really enjoying this side trip into this book. 

Does this mean Hermione will give up on the lessons? I wish we had Hermione's POV.  I'm thinking that the Hermione I imagine in this story has forgiven him but still knows Severus Snape is a dangerous only slightly tamed animal, not to be someone to let your gaurd down with.  I really like how brave she is. I am enjoying this read. I would say that more stories seem to have Hermione's POV than Severus'.  I'm more likely to be wondering what Severus is thinking. Even without Hermione's POV. This is great! 

I wonder what Hermione is thinking about him after this.  She must have told Kingsley. 

Now I have to go check to see if this is from any real book. I hope I don't end up feeling stupid for not knowing a piece of literature that all well educated individuals should hold in common such as Great Expectations. 

Who'd have thought! So much more enjoyable than grading papers. Well, maybe only slightly more enjoyable for Hermione. This can only lead to more intimacy between the two of them. He clearly hasn't thought this through fully.  I can't picture Severus being willing to fall asleep with another person in the room and trusting them. However, he will know her thoughts and motives if he is teaching her occlumancy.  Ok. I'm in. 

She's finally back! You're wrong, I do like the chapter! I'm not into the guy+guy thing, it's just a well done bit. I love the way Sev decides to take to bull by the horn, so to speak, and prove he's capable.

I'm so glad that you haven't stopped the story :) I like this chapter, as it is completely unexpected (like everything else you've written so far). I can't wait for your next update!

Wow, that was something.  

Oh, gods. Poor Severus. Poor Draco. And neither Lupin nor Hermione's position is in any way enviable either. Heaven help everyone, in fact- what a loathesome situation. There's no way for anyone to come out unscarred or even not crippled in some way, is there?

Well written (of course), with a rare compassion for the characters and the things their strength demands of them.


Author's Response: Thanks!  Well, I don't know if things are as bad as they seem--Snape seems to have a way of handling the worst of things... we'll see,  I guess...